Alexandrite is a gemstone that is well known for displaying one of the most remarkable color changes in the gem world. In sunlight, it shows a green color while a red color in incandescent light. It was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia in the early 1800s. The modern June birthstone is very rare and expensive; thus, a few people have seen a natural Alexandrite.
Value of Alexandrite Gemstone, the gemstone has two primary value drivers. First, the closer the colors to pure green or red, the higher the value, and second, the more distinct the color change, the higher the value. Alexandrite exhibits everything from 100% down to 5% color change. Therefore, the most valuable gems would have 100% color shifting from pure green to pure red—blue-greenish or brownish, or purplish hold less value.
Clarity also plays an essential role in the grading of the gemstone. As it occurs for most gems, most naturally occurring Alexandrite is not clean. Most are best used for cabbing. However, the color change of Alexandrite has more effect on its value than its clarity.
Size is also a factor that determines the value of the Alexandrite. The top-quality gems can sell for $15000/carat in lengths of up to one carat. Over one carat, the prices may range from $50000 to $ 70000 per carat.
Characteristics of Alexandrite
Stone sizes
The largest faceted Alexandrite, a 65.7 carat with a red/green color change stone, resides from Sri Lanka at the Smithsonian Institution. The largest Russian gems weigh 30 carats. However, the majority of Alexandrite weigh less than one carat. Those who are over five carats are very rare with a good color change.
Care
With a hardness of 8.5, Alexandrite makes the most durable stone suitable for jewelry settings. Extreme care should be taken when faceting the stone. Alexandrite is still sensitive to extreme heat and knocks from hard surfaces. They have no special care requirements; they can be cleaned mechanically per the system’s instructions.
Synthetics
A considerable market exists for lab-created Alexandrite. It was first made artificially in the early 1960s. This can be achieved through hydrothermal, melt, or flux methods. They have the same physical and chemical properties as Alexandrite Gemstone. However, the synthetics cost less than the natural ones. They still fall in the rank of the most expensive synthetic gemstones we have today.
Color change
The phenomenon of changing color can occur under a variety of lighting types. When grading Alexandrite’s color change, the gemologist always considers the stone’s color in natural sunlight as the baseline. Therefore the classic color change for the Alexandrite is green in daylight and red in lamp color however, other types of light may produce different colors.
